Before I present my thought-piece for this week, may I just give a huge thank you to everyone that read my Startup Story, a whopping 7638 in total on the Lionesses of Africa website, Facebook and other social media platforms. Thank you!

Well Lionesses, it’s another exciting week, and an exciting new topic to unveil and challenge our paradigms - are you ready? This week I will be discussing the challenges for Africa’s women entrepreneurs in breaking into new markets.

Whether we choose to ignore it or face facts,it is fair enough to see that as women in business, we already have to acknowledge that issues around gender and people’s attitudes to it, may be the number one obstacle in the dream ventures we may be embarking upon. As brilliant and passionate as we are about those ventures, unless the general mind-set towards issues such as gender is dealt with, I am afraid that it will be simply a dancing step towards the unlimited, uncapped reality of women leading in business.

It still to some degree saddens me that in this day and age, regardless of our unique skills set, pedigree and exceptional knowledge about a given subject, what we have to say as women in business falls on very sceptical ears. There is an anticipated, unspoken question mark around what we do, as women in business, and an atmosphere that you have to break through with shear boldness to take your rightful place in this cutthroat business world.

Whether we choose to ignore it or face facts, it is fair enough to see that as women in business, we already have to acknowledge that issues around gender and people’s attitudes to it, may be the number one obstacle in the dream ventures we may be embarking upon.

This then triggers an all too familiar, (with respect), slightly dysfunctional trait and cycle that women will succumb to in order to be seen and accepted as equal game changers in the business and entrepreneurial world, alongside their male counterparts. This unfortunately serves to further reinforce the strong holds and stereotypes that place us in positions where we have to over compensate or over compromise our ability, by watering down our intelligence, and sucking up to our counter parts that should more accepting and encouraging to say the least! Honest Truth.

I am very aware that we have distinct physical and neurological differences from our male counterparts, but in the world of business and entrepreneurship, issues like ageism and sexism must come to an end, or we as women entrepreneurs must rise above these petty blockers and refocus on why we started out on our entrepreneurial journeys in the first place. Hence the importance of creating a unique differentiator in our businesses in order to get noticed, and doing what it takes to stand out from the crowd in the right way.

Today we do not have to succumb to these gender pressures in the world of business and entrepreneurship, because we can re-educate our audiences, our clients, and our male counterparts with the help of powerful online communities that have been created to support the new empowered woman entrepreneur in business.

Today we do not have to succumb to these gender pressures in the world of business and entrepreneurship, because we can re-educate our audiences, our clients, and our male counterparts with the help of powerful online communities that have been created to support the new empowered woman entrepreneur in business.

So, here are a few helpful tips on how to get your business to stand out from the crowd and get into new markets:

GET WISDOM

“Wisdom isn’t about not making mistakes, but about learning to escape afterward with our dignity and sanity intact.”- Templar Richard

By being true to your brand and your corporate vision, you can set yourself apart from the get go, regardless of all you are facing

Make sure that you remain consistent and faithful to your business routine and your commitment to customer service

You must get a Voice, bigger than your critics, and find avenues that can enhance or support that voice

Choose those channels and platforms that can help to propel you best to reach those goals that you wish to reach, from radio, print media, online social pages, broadcast media - you name it, the list is endless. You can’t fail to find your place of ownership in whatever channel or platform you choose to operate it, and once there, put in the work, manage it well, and dominate that sphere using your inherent talent

Name your Brand - branding and good marketing is not an option, with all the web space that is being taken up with the latest updates, get something distinct that will set you apart, after all first Impressions are key - if we have seen it before, we will not follow

CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE. As a leader, and as a woman in business, you must be confident in what you are doing

Breaking into new markets can be tough, but stay humble and be willing to learn from all avenues, however skilled you might be. Mentorship is key to getting ahead

Follow the markets and trends that you wish to gain ground in, and become and expert in those fields. Invest in yourself as the leader, attend expos, and join business networks. Find your niche!

Ask yourself this, if my company failed today, would I pick it up again and how would I learn the lessons to successfully launch again? If you can answer that question, you are on the right track to BLAZING whichever trail you have set for yourself.

Mostly, remember that real leaders in business exist to get results, and in this there is no distinction between men and women entrepreneurs - the answer is to #JUSTBE

Clare Kagimu is an interior architect and designer, originally from Uganda but now living and working in Glasgow in the UK. Her company Phoenix Design is a branding solutions company, and her portfolio of creative work has included such unique projects as the designing of some of the eye-catching and highly specialised Velodrome suits worn at the prestigious Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, UK. Clare comes from a creative background, her late father Paul Archie Kagimu was one of the pioneering architects of Uganda. Learn more about Clare - read her Startup Story here.

Thanks for visiting LoA. This community is all about telling the inspirational stories of some of Africa's most successful and innovative women entrepreneurs; engaging in discussions about issues that matter to women entrepreneurs; celebrating success; and showcasing some of the incredible companies, products and services on offer around the continent from women-owned businesses - Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief

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